Community groups in east Hull will have a new home from today after £660,000 was spent on refurbishing a rundown church. Hull East MP John Prescott reopened St John the Evangelist Church in Rosmead Street, east Hull. Mr Prescott said: "When you contrast what this church must have been like before they did the work with how it is today, it really has the 'wow' factor. You walk in through the door and say 'wow'. It's warm, lovely and welcoming. We've got something going here." Mr Prescott, who was at the opening with his wife Pauline, said he hopes the building will benefit people in the community. He said: "I am pleased to be involved in this project. It's a building that will bring people together."
Reverend Chris Grundy is both the vicar of the church and also the chairman of St John's Drypool community project. He said: "I'm absolutely delighted with it. It's a real encouragement and I believe it will demonstrate to the people in this area that a facility of real merit is going to be available to them here. I look forward to it being used. St John's is now a church and a community centre, or a community centre and a church. I hope it helps change people's perceptions of the place. People thought it was a church that is closed. Now I want them to take ownership of this building and reclaim it as a space for themselves."
Money for the development of the old building came from sources including the European Union's regional development fund, Preston Road Neighbourhood Development Company and regeneration project Gateway Pathfinder. Funding also came from Hull City Council's community initiative budget, and £15,000 of donations from people living in the area.
Councillor Steve Brady, leader of the Labour group on Hull City Council, and a councillor for the ward, said: "This church will be part of the regeneration of this area. Together, we are going to change this area now and get it back to an area that people want to live in. This is a tremendously exciting time."
Peter Crook, community liaison manager for the project, is hoping to hear from groups throughout the community who will be able to make use of the new facility. The church now includes several meeting rooms and cafe space all nestled in the body of the Church of England building. Mr Crook said: "On December 16, the Bishop of Hull, Richard Frith, held a lovely service to rededicate the church. Since then, the floodgates have opened with people wanting to use the new facilities. The local residents' association will want to use the space available here and we have been contacted by schools and sports groups. Since the builders left we have been getting calls from a wide range of groups."
